Animal-trap.



Patented Jan. 2, I900. C. A. WEVER.

A N M A L T R A P.

(Application filed Apr. 27, 1898.]

(No Model.)

7 Wilncsscs lqacglor. Horneys.

- jacent ends.

lh S'ra'rns CHARLES A. XVEVER, OF SIOUX CITY, IOXVA.

ANIMAL-"TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,244, dated January 2, 1900.

Application filed April 2'7, 1898. Serial No. 678,989. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. Wnvnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sioux City, in the county of Woodbury and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Animal-Trap, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in animal-traps.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of animal-traps and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient one which will be positive and reliable in operation and adapted to be readily sprung by the slightest pressure on the bait treadle.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an animal-trap constructed in accordance with this invention and shown set. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates a frame constructed of sheet metal and composed of a horizontal base 2 and a substantially vertical back 3, formed integral with the base, the frame being con structed of a single piece of sheet metal and provided at the sides of the back and base with flanges a and 5, overlapped at their ad- The overlapped ends of the side flanges at and 5 are provided with registering perforations for the reception of a transverse pin 6, which retains the base and the back in their proper position relative to each other and which also forms a support for the springcoils '7 of a spring 8.

The spring 8, which is adapted to strike an animal and kill the same when the trap is sprung, consists of a substantially U-shaped loop and the spring-coils 7, the terminals of the latter being arranged against the frame, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

The front edge of the base is folded on itself at 9 to form a stiffening-bead, and the spring is maintained in a substantially ver tical position for setting the trap by a trigger 10, provided at its upper end with an eye 11, linked into a perforation 12 of the back of the trap. The perforation 12 is located adjacent to the upper edge of the back, and the lower end of the trigger engages a flange 13 of a treadle 14, which is adapted to receive a bait and to be depressed by an animal at tracted by the bait, whereby the trapis sprung and the spring is caused to strike the animal. The treadle is provided at its inner or rear end with an L-shaped portion 15 and is secured at its rear edge to a transverse pintle 16, having its terminals arranged in perfora tions of the flanges 5 of the back 3. The flange 13 is formed integral with the treadle, being struck up from the same. The treadle is constructed of sheet metal and is slit at the angle of the L-shaped portion to form the flange 13.

The base of the trap is provided beneath the treadlc with an opening 17 to receive the finger of the operator in order that the trap may be set without liability of striking him,

and the treadle is provided with perforations 18 to assist in attaching the bait to it.

The invention has the following advantages: The trap, which is simple and com= paratively inexpensive in construction, is positive and reliable in operation, and it is exceedingly sensitive, as only a very slight pressure has to be exerted on the bait-treadlo to disengage the flange from the lower end of the trigger.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What I claim is-- 1. As an article of manufacture, an animaltrap consisting of sheet metal bent to form a base and upright portion, said parts having flanges, which overlap at the adjacent edges, a pin passing through said adjacent ends of the tlanges,whereby the base and upright portion are retained rigidly apart, a pivoted treadle, and a spring-j aw, substantially as described.

2. A trap comprising a frame constructed of a single piece of sheet metal bent at an a11- gle to form a base and back, and provided at the side edges of the same with flanges overlapped at their adjacent ends, a pin passing through the overlapped portions of the flanges, a striking-spring having a loop and provided with coils arranged on the pin, a trigger hinged to the back at the top thereof and adapted to hold the spring when the trap is set, and a treadle provided at its back with a pintle fitting in perforations of the flanges of the frame, said treadle being adapted to engage the trigger and provided with a substantially L-shaped rear portion extending over the spring-coils, substantially as described.

3. A trap comprising a frame composed of a substantially vertical back, and a horizontal base havinga finger-openin g, a spring having coils arranged in the angle of the frame CHARLES A. WEVER.

Witnesses:

H. H. PUGH, GEO. P. J AY. 

